Yankees call up top prospect Jasson Domínguez, will start in center field Monday

The New York Yankees announced Monday that top prospect Jasson Domínguez has been called up from the team’s Triple-A Scranton affiliate.

Domínguez, 21, has a locker in the Yankees’ clubhouse and will start in center field for Monday’s matchup with the Kansas City Royals, according to several reporters covering the team.

This season in Triple-A, Domínguez batted .314 with an .880 OPS, 11 home runs, 35 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 250 plate appearances. He was limited to 58 games due to an oblique injury that sidelined him for six weeks in mid-June. Before the season, MLB.com ranked Domínguez as the team’s No. 1 overall prospect.

Fans and media covering the team were surprised when Domínguez, nicknamed “The Martian” for his otherworldly talent, was not among the Yankees’ initial September call-ups. Many likely remember his MLB debut last September, when he hit a home run off Justin Verlander. Yet eight games into his first stint in the big leagues, Domínguez suffered a torn UCL and required Tommy John surgery that kept him out until May.

Earlier this month, manager Aaron Boone said Domínguez wasn’t promoted because the organization wanted him to play every day, which he wouldn’t have done with the Yankees.

However, the Yankees have a need for Domínguez in the outfield. Alex Verdugo has batted only .235 with a .651 OPS this season, adding 28 doubles and 11 home runs, while reserve Trent Grisham is batting .187. The Yankees acquired Jazz Chisholm Jr., who played center field the past two seasons with the Miami Marlins, but have needed to play him at third base.

Domínguez actually did play for the Yankees earlier this season, making a one-game appearance when the team was allowed a 27th player on the roster for the Little League Classic on Aug. 18. Domínguez went 0-for-4 in that game.

To clear a spot for Domínguez on the roster, the Yankees placed infielder DJ LeMahieu on the injured list with right hip inflammation on Monday.

The Yankees begin a seven-game homestand Monday. They currently hold the best record in the American League at 82-61, just a half-game ahead of the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East. They have a 100% chance of making the postseason as either a division champion or wild card, according to FanGraphs. But adding Domínguez makes their lineup stronger and deeper.